News of this merger includes a number of ‘firsts’ in the space industry both in the combined estimated enterprise value of approximately $1.2 Billion, and the first publicly traded space infrastructure company. The companies Momentus Inc. (“Momentus” or the “Company”), a commercial space company offering in-space transportation and infrastructure services, today announced it has signed a definitive merger agreement with Stable Road Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: SRAC, SRACU, SRACW) (“Stable Road”) that will result in the Company becoming publicly listed. Upon the closing of the transaction, the combined operating company will be named Momentus Inc. and its securities will be listed on Nasdaq and trade under the ticker symbol “MNTS.”
The announcement released by Momentus reads as follows:
The current size of the global space economy is expected to grow from an estimated $415 billion to $1.4 trillion by 2030 driving demand for transportation and infrastructure services in space. With the significant market opportunity in the new space economy, Momentus is well-positioned to address the need for in-space transportation and infrastructure services. Utilizing a multi-pronged approach, Momentus is developing capabilities to provide critical infrastructure services: in-space transportation, satellite as a service, and in-orbit services.
The Company has strong momentum from the rapidly expanding small satellite market, which is seeking low-cost and regular launch access to orbit. Momentus’ customers include satellite operators, satellite manufacturers, launch providers, defense primes such as Lockheed Martin and government agencies such as NASA. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had customer contracts which represent approximately $90 million in potential revenue over the next several years.
Momentus is creating the first hub and spoke model in space by offering last-mile delivery in partnership with key launch operators, including SpaceX. Momentus offers its customers significantly more affordable access to space by combining the capabilities of low-cost launch vehicles and Momentus’ transport and service vehicles, powered by water plasma propulsion technology. Momentus plans to expand its offerings by providing a satellite as a service model for hosted payloads and an in-orbit service model for satellite deorbiting, life extension, refueling, and repositioning. In 2019, the Company successfully tested its water plasma propulsion technology in space.
Momentus has developed its first transport and service vehicle, Vigoride, to serve the needs of customers in Low Earth Orbit by delivering small satellites up to 750kg to precise destinations, and expects to provide hosted payload services, and in-orbit services. The Company plans to launch its first Vigoride vehicle in December 2020 with commercial customers and four to five Vigorides in 2021. The Company is developing two larger, more capable vehicles in its development plans: Ardoride in 2022 and Fervoride in 2024 with the goal of serving all orbits up to Geosynchronous Orbit and even Lunar Orbit and handling payloads of up to 4,000 kg. To extend the capabilities of gigantic rockets like SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s New Glenn, the Company is building its largest vehicle to date – Fervoride, which the Company expects to be capable of delivering up to 20 tons of cargo anywhere from Low Earth Orbit to Geosynchronous Orbit and into deep space. Fervoride is expected to be a pathfinder for the prospecting and use of space resources such as water from the Moon and asteroids and a technology enabler for the largest moonshot opportunities like solar energy generation in space.
“Momentus is at the forefront of the new space economy and is poised to capitalize on the significant growth opportunity as a first mover; we believe in a future where humanity is equipped with all it needs to flourish throughout the solar system,” said Mikhail Kokorich, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Momentus. “Our mission is to provide the infrastructure services that support all industry beyond Earth. The technologies we’ve developed or built upon, including our groundbreaking water plasma propulsion, will support growing demand from the booming satellite industry with affordable, versatile and low risk transportation and infrastructure services across private companies, government agencies, and research organizations. We expect to deploy the proceeds of this transaction to support our rapid growth and operations, and to support our capital needs as we ramp up revenues. We are excited to partner with the Stable Road team and look forward to leveraging their capital markets expertise.”
Brian Kabot, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Stable Road added, “We set out to identify a disruptive company and Momentus was the most unique and compelling opportunity to create value through our investment, as we believe the Company is primed to be a leader in the rapidly growing new space economy. As the only public, pure-play commercial space company capable of revolutionizing space infrastructure, Momentus is poised to capitalize on its market-defining position. We are excited to partner with Momentus as the Company develops its technology portfolio, continues to leverage deep customer relationships across diverse private and public sector applications, and expands its experienced leadership team.”
Transaction Overview
Pursuant to the transaction, Stable Road, which currently holds approximately $172.5 million of cash in trust, will combine with Momentus, which is estimated to result in a pro forma enterprise value of approximately $1.2 billion. Momentus’ existing equity security holders will hold approximately 75% of the issued and outstanding shares of Class A common stock immediately following the consummation of the merger, assuming no redemptions by Stable Road’s existing public stockholders.
Cash proceeds in connection with the transaction will be funded through a combination of Stable Road’s cash in trust and through a $175.0 million fully committed common stock PIPE at $10.00 per share, including investments from private equity growth investors, family offices and select top tier public institutional investors.
The boards of directors of both Momentus and Stable Road have unanimously approved the proposed transaction. Completion of the proposed transaction is subject to approval of Stable Road and Momentus stockholders and other closing conditions, including a registration statement being declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and is expected to be completed in early 2021.
Additional information about the proposed transaction, including a copy of the merger agreement and investor presentation, will be provided in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by Stable Road with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and available at www.sec.gov and on Momentus’ website at www.momentus.space. Stable Road will file a registration statement (which will contain a proxy statement/prospectus) with the SEC in connection with the transaction.
Advisors
Evercore is serving as the exclusive financial advisor and capital markets advisor to Momentus. Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. is serving as capital markets advisor to Stable Road. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is serving as legal advisor to Momentus, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal advisor to Stable Road. ICR is serving as investor relations and communications advisor to Momentus.
About Momentus
As a first mover in building in-space transportation and infrastructure technology, Momentus is at the forefront of the commercialization of space. With an experienced team of aerospace, propulsion, and robotics engineers, Momentus has developed a cost-effective and energy efficient in-space transport system based on water plasma propulsion technology. Momentus has in-place service agreements with private satellite companies, government agencies, and research organizations, and its first Vigoride™ transport and service vehicle launch is scheduled for December 2020.
About Stable Road Acquisition Corp
Stable Road Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: SRAC, SRACW, SRACU) is a special purpose acquisition company formed by SRC-NI Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of Stable Road Capital, for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination.
Forward-looking statements included in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, neither Stable Road nor Momentus undertakes any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. Additional risks and uncertainties are identified and discussed in the Stable Road’s reports filed with the SEC and available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.